Take the right risks

How much are we willing to risk in our fight for a better world? In every situation and at every moment, we each have something different at stake. We each have different things to gain and lose, and different levels of vulnerability to the consequences of our actions and the actions of our community members.

Those who are privileged can take big risks without having to worry much about the consequences; others are seen by those in power as expendable. Collective institutions like unions protect us against individual risk, building the people power to allow us to stand up to injustice as one.

Knowing when and what to risk means being realistic about what is needed. Often, you can try something only once; if it is unsuccessful, the chance may not come again. If you are trying to organize your neighbors to start a food cooperative, but there are already several food cooperatives in the area, then this is probably not taking a “right risk” with your community’s resources.

Taking the right risks also requires recognizing that failure might be more harmful to some people than to others. The consequences of risks are often carried more heavily by people who are more likely to be harmed or criminalized by those in power on the basis of race, gender, class, religion, or sexuality. Those in privileged positions can choose to assume more risk, and privilege can be a valuable tool when leveraged strategically in support of the collective. For example, in a group starting a collective enterprise, those with more money might take on financial risks like guaranteeing a loan.

Taking the right risks can make heroes, but it can also make enemies. For people who hold different beliefs from their family and friends, speaking out and fighting against oppression may mean losing relationships. Or, it could just mean some difficult conversations over dinner. Some people will be celebrated, and some will never have their stories told. These are decisions that can affect our whole lives, so every one of us should be allowed to define for ourselves the risks we are willing to take. This means equipping ourselves and others with the information we need to understand what we are risking.

We need to get better at motivating people to take risks and support and honor them when they do. Our strong relationships can empower us to risk, and so can our own determination to make a better world. We risk for ourselves, for our children, for the planet, and to grow our communities and be whole. We need to recognize where the front lines are, and celebrate those who take risks at the edges of their own comfort and ability. This might involve building ritual around risk-taking—with ceremony, special clothes, or the stories that bring our communities together.

One way or another, we will need to grapple with fear. The political or economic climate will never be perfect for transformation. At a certain point you have to take the leap, to be both ambitious and realistic, and reach for as much as you can. But it is less dangerous to leap when you’ve considered what you are up against. Taking risks usually means facing obstacles. At the end of the day, if your community or your group is committed to facing them together, taking risks can make you even stronger than you already are.